Kristina Worton, LCSW-C, Founder & Therapist

Hello & Welcome

I’ve always been deeply curious about people, their stories, relationships, emotions, and the experiences that shape how they move through the world. That curiosity, combined with my own life experiences and a longstanding desire to help others, ultimately led me to become a therapist.

Who I Work With

I specialize in working with adults navigating anxiety, self-esteem and self-worth struggles, people-pleasing, relationship difficulties, emotional overwhelm, and the lasting impact of childhood emotional wounds or emotionally invalidating environments.

I also enjoy working with couples who feel stuck in painful communication patterns, disconnection, recurring conflict, or difficulty understanding one another despite deeply caring about each other.

One of the things I find most meaningful about couples work is helping partners move beyond blame and begin understanding the deeper emotions and unmet needs beneath their patterns. Most people are doing the best they can with what they were taught, modeled, or experienced themselves. Relationships are not meant to be perfect all the time, and struggling does not mean a relationship is broken. Often, couples simply need support slowing things down, communicating differently, and learning how to feel safer and more connected with one another.

My Approach to Therapy

My approach to therapy is warm, collaborative, trauma-informed, and deeply humanizing. I believe that everything about a person makes sense within the context of what they have lived through, and I strive to help clients explore themselves with curiosity and compassion rather than shame or judgment.

The therapeutic relationship itself is incredibly important to me, and I work hard to create a space where clients feel emotionally safe, seen, understood, and able to show up authentically. Clients who work with me often describe me as down-to-earth, validating, genuine, and approachable. Therapy with me may include insight, psychoeducation, practical tools, laughter, tears, difficult conversations, moments of reflection, and even the occasional swear word. I do not believe therapy should feel cold, intimidating, or overly clinical. Healing often happens through authentic connection, emotional safety, and increased self-understanding.

My work integrates trauma-informed care with approaches including CBT, IFS-informed interventions, mindfulness, self-compassion work, somatic and nervous-system-focused strategies, attachment-based perspectives, and psychoeducation. Therapy is always tailored to the individual needs of each client and grounded in collaboration, autonomy, and emotional safety.

Why I Created Serenity Counseling Services

In 2022, I founded Serenity Counseling Services after recognizing how important it is for therapists to feel supported, valued, trusted, and able to work sustainably in order to provide truly meaningful care.

I wanted to create a practice culture rooted in authenticity, autonomy, compassion, and human connection — both for clients and for the clinicians serving them. I deeply believe that when therapists are respected, supported, and empowered to work in ways that align with their values, clients ultimately benefit as well.

Outside of Therapy

Outside of my work, my greatest joy is my family — especially my son, who keeps life full of laughter, perspective, and meaning. I also enjoy spending time outdoors, being in the sunshine, traveling, connecting with friends, and making space for the people and experiences that help me feel grounded and present.

Final Thoughts

I know reaching out for therapy can feel vulnerable and overwhelming, but you do not have to have everything figured out before you begin. My hope is that therapy becomes a space where you feel supported, understood, and empowered to create meaningful, lasting change.

Education, Licensure and Specialized Training

Bachelor of Science in Psychology — Towson University 2015
Master of Social Work — Salisbury University 2019
Licensed Certified Social Worker – Clinical (LCSW-C)
Practicing in the mental health field since 2015
Licensed therapist since 2019
Training and experience in CBT, trauma-informed care, IFS-informed approaches, mindfulness, self-compassion work, somatic/nervous-system-focused interventions, and couples therapy
Ferentz Institute Certificate in Advanced Trauma Treatment - Level 1 Completed June 2020

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